Valve mechanism



Oct. 2, 1934. w. F. lRViN 1,975,656

VALVE MECHANISM Filed June 18, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l E: i g 0 E 16 o 171- 1 7: 18 2 5 22 2 2 I I I 2L 66 Z6\V V 5 9 i1 6 71 61 v lNVENfORWITNESSES.

Patented Get. 2, 1934 warren er 1::

VALVE MECHANISM Walter IF. Erwin, Pittsburgh, Pa, assigncr, hy mesncassignments, to Ruth M. Hook, Pitts= burgh, lPa.

, Application June 18, 1931, Serial No. 545,163

3 Claim.

This invention relates to a combined regulatin and shut-01f valvemechanism for both positively turningon and shutting off the flow fromone pressure system to another, and for also regulating the pressure inthe lower of the two, and while not necessarily so limited is intendedfor use more particularly for controlling the flow of fuel to gas firedfurnaces and combustion devices of that character.

The primary object of the invention generally stated is to provide animproved valve mechanism of the type disclosed in United States PatentNo. 1,764,790, granted June 17, 1930 to C. H. Hook and N. L.,Mercur fora Combined pressure regulating and shut-oil valve. A more particularobject, however, is to provide such a mechanism with a secondary safetypilot valve which is adapted to be rendered responsive to the fire inthe burner with which the mechanism is used and to 2 positively insurethe combined valve mechanism operating as a shut-on" valve in case thefire in the burner is extinguished for any reason what soever.

These and other objects, as well as the various I other novel featuresand advantages of the invention, will be apparent when the following de=tailed description is read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, of which Fig. 1 is a sec= tional view of a single embodimentof the invention; Fig. 2 a simple schematic wiring diagram of a controlsystem for automatically controlling the operation of the primary pilotvalve utilized to determine the operation of the main flow valve; Fig. 3is a sectional view to an enlarged scale of the pilot valve mechanismshown in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 a front elevational view of the same; and Fig. 5a sectional view taken on the line VV of Fig. 4.

In accordance with the invention as illustrated in the drawings, acombined pressure regulating and shut-off valve mechanism is providedwhich comprises a valve casing consisting of three de= tachablyconnected sections 1, 2 and 3. The lower or these, section 1, forms thevalve casing proper and is provided with a pair of threaded openings 4and 5 for connecting it in the fuel line of a gas firedfurnace orsimilar pressure system. Across the casing there is extended a partition6 which divides it into an inlet chamber 7 and an. outlet chamber 8. Avalve opening 9 is provided in this partition and in it a valve 11 isarranged to sea to control the flow therethrough.

Between the adjoining ends of sections 1 and 2 of the casing, which areopen, there is arranged a flexible diaphragm 12, and to it a valve stem13, connected to valve 11, is attached. A similar but larger diaphragm14 is arranged between the upper end of casing section 2 and the lowerend of casing section 3, both such sections being of a dish shape toallow for an increase in the area (CH. 158=-117.ll)

of diaphragm 14 over diaphragm 12. Between the two diaphragms a chamber15 is formed by casing section 2 which is utilized as a pressure chamberfor operating valve 11, both diaphragms functioning as pressureresponsive elements, diaphragm 12 being responsive to the difierence in.pressure on its two sides and diaphragm 14 to the pressure in chamber15.

For transmitting the movement of diaphragm 14 to diaphragm 12 and henceto valve 9, a pair of levers 17 are employed. The upper ends 01 theselevers are connected by links 18 to a bracket 19 which is secured todiaphragm 14 and their centers pivotally engaged at 21 in a bracket 22,mounted on the bottom of casing section 2, while their lower ends arearranged to engage a head 16 to which the end of stem. 13 is connected.Hence when diaphragm 14: is forced upwardly the lower ends of levers 17are forced against head L6, urging valve 11 toward its seat. To vary thepressure required in chamber 15 to move diaphragm 14. upwardsufficiently to close valve 11, weights 23 of difierent sizes may bemounted on top of diaphragm 14, or any other adjustable means, such as aspring disposed between the diaphragm and the top of the cover casingsec= tion 3, may be used for such purpose. 4

When properly installed for use, chamber 7 is arranged to connect withthe high pressure sys tem or fuel supply and chamber 8 with the lowpressure system or the burners of a furnace, and to utilize pressurechamber 15 for operating valve 11, ducts 24., 25 and 26 are provided incasing section 1 for transmitting to that chamber the pressuresobtaining in chambers 7 and 8. When chamber 7 is connected to chamber15, the pressures on the two sides of diaphragm 12 are the same andvalve 11 falls closed due to gravity. However, if the pressure issufiicient, as it usually is, to lift diaphragm 14 against the force ofweight 23, the levers 17 apply a pressure to head 16 and positively holdvalve 11 on its seat. Accordingly, when such a connection is made, valve11 functions as a positive shut-ofi valve. When the connection betweenchamber 7 and chamber 15 is shut ofi and chamber 8 is connected withchamoer 15, the pressure in the latter chamber is the same as that inchamber 8. Hence a difference in pressure exists on the two sides ofdiaphragm 12 with the greater pressure in chamber 7 tending to liftvalve 11 from its seat. Opposingthe upward movement of diaphragm 12' arelevers 17 which are urged against it by diaphragm is when a sufiicientpressure is established in chamber 15 to lift weight 23, and, because ofthe greater area of diaphragm 14, it is adapted to maintain a se-=lected pressure in chamber 8, determined by the size of weight 23 whenduct 25 is open, causing valve 11 to function as a pressure regulator.

For controlling the connections between chambers '7 and 8 and 15, apilot valve 2'7 is arranged in a valve chamber 28 in casing section 1,and into it each of these connections extend. The valve is so arrangedas to be selectively moved to close or open either of the ducts 24 or25. In the particular embodiment shown valve 27 is arranged to move in ahorizontal plane, and when in its inner position to close the end ofduct 24 and when in its outer position to close the end of duct 25. Thisvalve is mounted on a stem 29 which is reciprocably mounted in a bore 31in a body casing 32, which in turn is demountably secured to casing 1and designed to form the outer wall of valve chamber 28. To simplify theoperation of valve 27, duct 24 is extended through valve body 32 to bore31 which is enlarged at its inner end to permit the pressure to becommunicated to chamber 28 about stem 29.

To adapt pilot valve 2'7 to be operated from remote points, anelectromagnet is employed consisting of a solenoid 33 and a movablearmature 34. For supporting these a pair of plates 35 are secured to thesides of body 32. Between such plates an L-shaped permeable core 36 ismounted with one leg extended downwardly, and upon it solenoid 33 isattached. The remainder of the magnetic circuit is formed by armature 34which, like core 36, is L-shaped in form. This armature is pivotallysecured at one end by a pin 3'7 between plates 35.

To facilitate the connection of solenoid 33 in a control circuit, itsleads 38 and 39 are connected, respectively, to a pair of terminals 41and 42 mounted on an end plate 43 attached to the ends of plate 35. Thisend plate is preferably formed of current insulating material and isshaped to fit within a tube 44 fitted over the whole pilot valvestructure to form a housing therefor.

For moving armature 34 away from core 36 and yieldably connecting it tovalve stem 29, a small leaf spring 45 is employed. One end of thisspring is engaged in a lug 46 at the top of plates 35. and it isconnected midway between its two ends at 4'7 to the top of armature 34,the connection being so made as to flex the spring in a direction toconstantly urge the armature away from core 36. From 47 the spring isextended along the back of the armature, and its lower end, which isslotted at 48 for such purpose, is fitted over an annular groove 49 cuton the end of valve stem 29. With this arrangement, when solenoid 32 isdeenergized, armature 34 is urged to its open position by spring 45 andcarries valve 27 to its seat at the end of duct 25. When energized thearmature is moved to its closed position, seating valve 2'7 over the endof bore 31 which also constitutes the end of duct 24, the spring 45permitting relative movement of valve 2'7 with armature 34 and insuringseating of the valve in both directions of operation.

In order that pilot valve 2'7 may be operated manually in the absence ofa control circuit being established for solenoid 33, or in case there isa failure in such circuit, a bolt 51 is provided in valve body 32, thebolt being arranged for movement in a vertically disposed bore 52 out inbody 32 at one side of the bore 31 in which valve stem 29 moves.Cooperating with bolt 51 is a pin 53 which is arranged to move in ahorizontal bore 54. This pin is adapted to engage bolt 51 at one end andthe back of armature 34 at the other. As shown, the upper end of bolt 51is tapered at 55 on the side engaging pin 53. Consequently as it ispushed upward it forces the pin and armature outward, the amount ofmovement so produced being sufficient to carry valve 2'7 to its seat inthe end of duct 24, but insufficient to engage the end of the armaturewith core 36, a small gap 56 being allowed between these members whenoperated in this manner for a purpose which will presently appear.

While the taper 55 on bolt 51 is suflicient to close valve 27 on itsseat at the end of duct 24, when the bolt is moved its full distanceupward pin 53 engages the flat side of the bolt, and because of thepressure exerted on the pin by spring 45, it applies such a force to thebolt that the latter is retained in its upper position until it ispulled down by force, or solenoid 33 is energized. The energizing of thesolenoid pulls armature 34 tightly against core 36, closing gap 56whereby the force on pin 53 is released to such an extent that bolt 51falls to its inactive position due to gravity. To prevent the boltfalling from bore 52 when so released, a set screw or any other suitablemeans may be arranged to engage it. By reason of this automatic releasefeature, if the pilot valve is operated manually .while the controlcircuit connected to solenoid 33 is deenergized for any cause whateverand the circuit thereafter set in operation, the pilot valve isautomatically placed under the control of the solenoid and the controlcircuit as soon as the solenoid is energized and armature 34 moved toclose the gap 56 between it and the core 36. The

advantage of this will be readily appreciated by those skilled in theart.

In heating systems utilizing valves of this nature it is highlyessential that provision be made for insuring against the escape of gasin case the fires are extinguished due to abnormal causes such as may bebrought about by explosions occurring in the combustion chamber, or morefrequently by a temporary failure in the gas supply, or by numerousother causes. To provide against the existence and continuance of such acondition, which may easily result in disastrous consequences, it is afeature of this invention to provide a secondary or safety pilot valve61 which is adapted to positively insure valve 11 operating to shut offthe fiow of fuel in case the furnace fires are extinguished, and to doso independently of the position of valve 27 when such condition occurs.

As shown in the drawing, this latter pilot valve is arranged in a valvechamber 62 formed in casing section 1 and through it duct 25 connectingchamber 8, which pressure chamber 15 is extended. The valve is mountedin a sleeve 63 which has a valve seat on its lower end and an opening inits side registering with the portion of duct 25 extending above chamber62. Hence when valve 61 is closed, duct 25 is shut ofi, and when open,the duct is open. With such arrangement, when valve 61 is closed valve11 can not be operated as a regulator no matter where valve 27 islocated when it is closed. To insure valve 11 being closed if duct 24 isshut off by valve 2'7 when valve'61 is closed, a small bleeder opening64 is extended from chamber '7 into valve chamber 28. This bleederconnection is so proportioned that it does not interfere with the normaloperation of diaphragm 14, as controlled by valve 2'7, but does afiord asuficient connection between chambers '7 and 15 to close valve 11 at alltimes when valve 61 is closed.

For operating valve 61 it is connected by a stem 65 with the outer endof a flexible tube 66 which has its inner end attached to a shoulder 67on the outer end of sleeve 63. About tube lllll) by use of bolt 51.

66 there is provided a'casing 68 which forms with it a pressure chamber69. This chamber is in turn connected by a length of tubing 71 to a bulbor other suitable container '72. This container together with tube '71and chamber 69 are filled with a. thermally expansible fluid which isadapted to collapse tube 66 and force valve 61 away from its seat whenheated, and the bulb 72 in pilot light, such as pilot 73, connected tothe same gas supply." Hence as long as a fire is maintained by pilot 73,valve 61 is held open, but in case it goes out, the fluid in bulb 72contracts and valve 61 closes. This closes duct 25, and as bleeder 64insures a pressure in chamber 15 equal to that in chamber 7, valve 11 isclosed. When valve -11 is closed in'this fashion it can not be reopeneduntil pilot 73 is relighted and valve 61 opened. As will be readilyappreciated, such a feature affords both a safe and positive protectionagainst gas leaks whether valve 27 is operated either manually orautomatically.

In normal operation the casing section 1 is connected in the fuel supplyline to a burner or furnacebeing controlled by valve 11 and a selectedweight 23 is placed on diaphragm 14 to give the desired regulation offuel pressure to the burner. In addition, solenoid 33 is connected in acon trol circuit such as that shown in Fig. 2, in which, as indicated,there is usually included a source of current supply, represented bytransformer 75, a hand switch 76, a room temperature responsivethermostatic switch '70 provided with contacts 7'7 and '78, a burneroperated thermal switch 79, and a boiler pressure switch 81. Theseswitches and parts making up this circuit are all well known and. needno further description here inasmuch as they in themselves form no' partof the present invention. In such a circuit, when switch 76 is closedand transformer is energized, solenoid 33 is placed under the control ofswitches 79 and 81 and thermostat 70, which is the usual room typethermostat. Thethermostat is usually adapted to close the circuit andmaintain it closed below a preselectedtemperature and open it above suchtemperature. When closed, solenoid 33 is energized and duct 24' closedby valve 27, rendering valve 11 operable as a regulator for determiningthe pressure at which the fuel is supplied to the burners. When open,the solenoidis dee'nergized and valve 27 moves to openduct 24, closingduct 25 due to the resultant action of armature 34. This causes valve 11to be closed. In addition, if either switches '79 or 81 opennotwithstanding the position of the thermostat contacts 77 and 78, thesolenoid circuit is interrupted and causes valve 11 to close. Thislatter is a customary safety feature in systems of this type. As setforth above, in case of a failure or absence of current supply in thecontrol circuit, valve 27 may be operated manually Such latter form ofcontrol, however, is automatically released, as also set forth above, ifsolenoid 33 is energized.

Among the outstanding advantages of the invention is that afforded bythe secondary pilot valve 61 which under all conditions of operation,

notwithstanding the position of any of the other valves, closes andcauses valve 11 to be positively closed if the fire in the furnace orpilot lights '73 goes out. Hence it positively insures against gasleakage due to fire failure. It will-be readily understood by thoseskilled in the art that valve 61 may be operated by other means and inresponse to other condltionsthan that illustrated but such are intendedto fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I. claim as my invention:

1. A combined pressure regulating and shut-off valve mechanism forcontrolling the flow of fluid from one pressure system to anothercomprising in combination, a main valve adapted to be connected betweentwo such systems, a pressure responsive element for operating saidvalve, means for connecting said pressure responsive element to thepressure line at both the high and low pressure sides of said mainvalve, a primary pilot valve for selectively controlling the connectionbetween said pressure responsive element and said line connections, anauxiliary pilot valve arranged to render said primary pilot valveinactive when it is operated to connect'said pressure responsive elementto the low pressure side of said main valve, and a bleeder connectionextending from the high pressure side of said main valve to saidpressure responsive element, such bleeder connectionbeing insufiicientlylarge to interfere with the operationof the pressure responsive elementwhen the latter is connected to the low pressure side of the main valveto act as a regulator.

2. A combined regulating and shut-off 'valve mechanism comprising incombination a valve casing having in itan inlet chamber, an outletchamber and a pressure chamber, a valve. disposed in a valve openingconnecting said inlet chamber with said outlet chamber, a pressureresponsive element arranged in said pressure chamber and operablycoupled to said valve, 2. pressure connection between said inlet andoutlet chambers and said pressure chamber, a primary pilot valve fornormally controlling said connection, a secondary pilot valve forclosing said outlet chamber connection with said pressure chamber, and ableeder connection between said inlet chamber and said pressure chamberconnection for establishing a pressure in said pressure chambercorresponding to the pressure in said inlet chamber when said secondarypilot valve is closed independently-of the position of said primarypilot valve.

3. A flow controlling mechanism for use with a gas fired burnercomprising a valve casing adapted to be connected in a fuel line,said-casing having in it an inlet chamber, an outlet chamber and apressure chamber, a valve disposed in a valve opening connecting saidinlet with said outlet chamber, a pressure responsive element arrangedin said pressure chamber and operably coupled to said valve forcontrolling its operation, pressure connections between said inlet andoutlet chambers and said pressure chamber,'electro- 1 responsive meansadapted to be operable by remote control for selectively opening andclosing the connection between said inlet chamber and said pressurechamber, thermally responsive means for shutting off said outlet chamberand pressure chamber connection independently of

